THOSE WHO OVERCOME

Identifying Christ and His people as those who “overcome,” is a dominant theme in the book of Revelation. It is the Greek word, “nikao,” and is used seventeen times, variously translated in English as “overcome,” “conquer,” “prevail,” etc. though it is the same word in the original. The seven churches in chapters two and three are each given a specific promise related to those who “overcome.” 

For this study, we will identify the characteristics of those who overcome as presented in Revelation 17:14 that reads, “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful.” In this chapter, the fiendish foes who will rise to oppose Christ are the scarlet woman and the scarlet beast—whom I identify as the False Prophet of a one-world religion and the Antichrist and his global governance. These oppose Christ, the Lamb of God, with the climax of their hate being the battle of Armageddon at Christ’s return, (Rev. 19:11-21). “These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of Lords and King of kings,” (Rev. 17:14a). We will be in that victorious vanguard, “and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful,” (v. 14‬‬b). 

These are THE CALLED, “those who are with [Christ] are called.” They have heard the call of the Gospel. The Holy Spirit has summoned these to follow Christ. It is a work of grace that bids the spiritually dead to rise as Lazarus was called by Christ to come out of the grave.  Those who overcome have heard Christ’s call.

These are also THE CHOSEN, “those who are with [Christ] are…chosen.”  The Gospel call is to extend to all sinners, but is effectual only to those chosen—those who attest to that in their responding by faith to Christ. Our Lord taught, “For many are called, but few are chosen,” (Matt. 22:14). I think of the rich young ruler that our Lord called to follow Him, who sadly walked away. Those who overcome have been chosen and have heeded Christ’s call.

These are furthermore, THE COMMITTED, “those who are with [Christ] are…faithful.”  If you take the word faithful and turn it around it would define this attribute as those full of faith. These have not merely made a profession of faith, but are in possession of faith. The verbal commitment to Christ in their confession is validated by the visual commitment to Christ in their conduct. Judas Iscariot once identified himself as a disciple, but in the end proved his profession to be false.  He was overcome by the world, the flesh, and the devil rather than overcoming these as a true believer will. This is the perseverance of the saints. Those who overcome have been called, chosen, and are committed.

BE PREPARED!

When I was a young lad, I was part of the Boy Scouts. The motto was, “Be prepared!”  Concerning the second coming of Christ and the consummation of the age, that is to be the believer’s spiritual state also.  Our Lord declared, “ ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ ” (Revelation‬ ‭16‬:‭15‬‬).

Prophecy is not given to us just for information—though God desires that we know the truth. Nor is it written to only bring inspiration—though it certainly should cause that. Most importantly, it is for preparation—that we would be ready for the Lord’s return—living in such a way to please Him.  There are three dimensions of being prepared that we see in this verse.

We are to be ALERT, “ ‘Behold, I am coming as a thief.’ “ Throughout my adult life, I have had a practical routine.  Before I leave the house, I lock the doors; before I go to sleep, I check to see that they are locked. Now, I have taken it a step further. There is an alarm that will be set and cameras installed to give warning should a thief break in.  I know that a thief will not send out a notice telling me that he is coming on a certain date and time. His arrival will be unexpected. So, will the return of the Lord Jesus. That call to be on the alert has been given and repeated for 2000 years, day after day. While unbelievers scoff, the child of the God knows today could be the day and stays on the alert!

Our attitude is to be ANTICIPATING, “ “Blessed is he who watches,’ “. Jesus declares a special blessing on those who are living with expectancy. We love Jesus and long to see His face. Think of a loved one who has gone on a trip. There is sorrow in not seeing them. But, as the day approaches for their beloved to return, there is an intensifying of that desire. When that day comes, there is a joyful embrace—overflowing emotion and great satisfaction. How does it make you feel that Christ could come back today?  Preacher, as you prepare to speak to your congregation, how does it affect you to know this could be your final sermon before we are all called to be with Jesus? 

That leads to a final point. We are to be ADORNED. The blessing is also for the one who, “ ‘keeps his garments, lest he walk naked and they see his shame.’ ” Paul wrote this:

“According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” (1 Cor.‬ ‭3‬:‭10‬-‭15‬‬). 

It is a picture of someone awakened in the middle of the night by a fire consuming the house. They jump out of bed in their underwear or nightgown and flee the flames. There is no time to dress. If they are naked, they save their skin, but nothing else of value. We do not minimize being saved—even if there lingers the smell of smoke on us. Some will get to heaven—just in and nothing more. You might think now, “That is enough!”  But, when you stand naked before the Lord, you will think differently. While you will not be cast into eternal flame, your works will be burned up. It will be a lifetime of missed opportunities and wasted years.

Be prepared!

VICTORY IN JESUS!

No matter the challenges of the present, all believers are assured of conquest in the future. Ultimately, we have victory in Jesus!  It is an inexorable march of triumph over all the forces of hell. We see this in Revelation 15. 

Then, we will hear THE MUSICIANS, “And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God,” (v. 2). The victors form this mighty chorus. They play harps that echo through the holy halls of Heaven. 

Consider THE MESSAGE,  “They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: ‘Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints!’ “ (v. 3). These are the saints who have been saved and the message in their music is to praise the Lord who has redeemed them. Two songs with one message are sung. 

“They sing the song of Moses,” extolling how God redeemed Israel from Egypt by the blood of the Passover Lamb. He brought Israel out from their bondage to make of them a covenant people. 

They also sing, “the song of the Lamb,” showing how that lamb of the Old Covenant was fulfilled by the blood of Christ on Calvary in the New Covenant, redeeming sinners from every tribe and tongue. 

The musicians and their message arise from THE MOTIVATION,  “Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgments have been manifested.’ ” (v. 4‬‬). How can we help but reverence God and rejoice in Him—to bring glory to His name which is above all names!  He is holy, but has made a way for sinners to be made holy through redemption and regeneration, so that, “that He might be just and the justifier one who has faith in Jesus,” (Rom. 3:26).

Let’s warm up by singing E. M. Bartlett’s song, “Victory in Jesus!”

I heard an old, old story how a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 2

I heard about His healing, of His cleansing pow'r revealing
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit,"
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Verse 3

I heard about a mansion He has built for me in glory,
And I heard about the streets of gold beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing and the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there the song of victory.

Chorus

O victory in Jesus, my Savior, forever!
He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him, and all my love is due Him.
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood!